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<title>Welcome to Bellevue Youth Link!</title>
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	<div id="main-content"> <span class="content-heading">Since 1990, Youth Link has made the City of Bellevue a national innovator in youth leadership and involvement.</span> <br />

	<p>
    Bellevue   Youth Link is a leadership program sponsored by the City of Bellevue,   Parks &amp; Community Service Department and Bellevue Public Schools.   Since 1990, Bellevue Youth Link has engaged young people in our   community and given them opportunities to make a difference.<br>
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      <div id="quote"> <span class="content-quote-text">&quot;Nothing   is more important to the health of our democracy than the active   engagement of young people in representative government at the local level.&quot;</span> <span class="content-quote-attribution-text"> – National League of Cities</span>
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    <span class="content-sub-heading">Mission Statement</span><br>
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    “To be a catalyst in responding to the interests and concerns of young   people by engaging the entire community in implementing an agenda   developed by youth.” <br>
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    <span class="content-sub-heading">Vision/Value Statement</span><br>
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    “Youth Link envisions Bellevue as a city where young people are   involved, valued, respected and listened to; where they feel safe and   are safe; and where they can have fun. Ultimately, the impact of Youth   Link is to enhance the quality of life for all members of the   community.”<br>
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    <span class="content-sub-heading">How we’re organized</span><br>
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    Our organization consists of the Youth Link Board, the Youth Council, and multiple Action Teams. <br>
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      <li>The   <a href="youth_link_board.html">Youth Link Board</a> advises the Bellevue City Council and City Manager on   youth matters and programs and is authorized by the City to award   funding for community youth projects.<br>
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      <li>The   <a href="youth_council.html">Youth Council</a> is the main organizational body of Bellevue Youth Link   and meets twice a month to plan various community projects. <br>
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      <li>The <a href="action_teams.html">Action Teams</a> are smaller committees which focus on fulfilling the goals of Bellevue Youth Link, as set out by the Council.</li>
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    <span class="content-sub-heading">Our Projects</span><br>
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    Over the years, Youth Link has supported more than 70 youth-led projects, including the following:<br>
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      <li>Bellevue Youth Court   was founded in 2008 to reduce recidivism rates among juveniles who have   committed crimes. It is a partnership between the City of Bellevue and   King County and hears two court cases each month. A group of 50 young   people have been trained to serve as judges, jurors, bailliffs, clerks,   and prosecuting and defending advocates.<br>
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      <li>Teen Closet was   started to address the age and style gap in most local clothing banks.   It was organized by a Youth Council Action Team and opened in 2001.   Since then, Teen Closet has partnered with Plato’s Closet, a second hand   clothing store for teens, and World Impact Network which operates and   hosts monthly clothing donations.<br>
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      <li>Kids Care Coat Drive   is held each fall to help young people without enough warm clothing.   Distribution boxes are placed at Bellevue schools, community centers,   and shopping malls, collecting more than 8,000 coats. First organized in   2004, the drive has become a Bellevue tradition.<br>
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      <li>Bellevue’s Youth Involvement Conference   is organized every other spring by and for youth. The conference gives   youth an opportunity to “Step Up, Speak Out, and Break Through!”,   featuring workshops on everything from technology to community   involvement.<br>
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      <li>Youth Connection is a bimonthly online newsletter written by teens and produced in collaboration with Bellevue Patch. Youth Connection partners with a monthly newsletter called Outspoken, which is distributed through the Bellevue School District each month.<br>
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      <li>Youth Leadership Academy is held each summer to teach personal leadership development and group dynamics.<br>
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      <li>Gumbo Night is   an annual event that allows Bellevue City Council members and youth to   share a meal, connect, and share ideas outside of a formal meeting   environment.    </li>
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    <p>You can find more information about other projects on our <a href="past_projects.html">Past Projects page</a>.</p>
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